Lebanon denies media arrest

NGOs have condemned Dughmush’s detention Beirut - Georges Chahine Lebanese authorities have formally denied a report from NGO Reporters Against Violence which claimed Al Arabiya correspondent Mohammad Dughmush had been blocked from entering Beirut on Tuesday. Security forces have meanwhile claimed Dughmush is inside Lebanon now. The correspondent had been travelling from Turkey along with other journalists. Syrian-born Dughmush reportedly refused to queue for routine procedures after the flight and threatened security forces on arrival, according to Director General of Public Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim. Sources revealed that any visitor to arrive in Beirut without a prior visa has to meet with security officials. Reporters Against Violence had previously denounced the news. “We completely reject all methods of detention, repression and prohibition against journalists,” the group said in a statement.